Chelsea gazump Man Utd and Arsenal as they reach verbal agreement to sign Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid

• Chelsea agree deal
• Felix keen on Blues move
• Arsenal and Man Utd to miss out

WHAT HAPPENED? Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign Portugal international Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid, according to The Athletic. The Blues are expected to pay around €11 million (£9.7m) to take Felix on loan for the rest of the season after beating off competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Man Utd.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: The move comes with the Blues in the midst of a tricky patch. Graham Potter's side have slipped to 10th place in the Premier League table and were dumped out of the FA Cup on Sunday by Manchester City in a 4-0 thrashing. Chelsea have already been active in the January market, bringing in Davide Datro Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.

AND WHAT'S MORE: Felix has also endured a difficult time at Atletico, struggling to live up to his €127 million (£112m/$135m) price tag. The Portuguese has scored only four La Liga goals so far this season, with the Rojiblancos having previously admitted that a January exit for the forward was likely.

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DID YOU KNOW: Felix is the third youngest Portuguese player to score at the World Cup (23y 13d) after Cristiano Ronaldo in 2006 (21y 132d) & Antonio Simoes in 1966 (22y 217d).

WHAT NEXT? The Blues are back in action on Thursday in the Premier League against Fulham at Craven Cottage.